Detachable measuring and dispensing device for portable containers

Abstract

A measuring and dispensing device for portable handheld containers is disclosed. The measuring device allows a user to measure and dispense contents from a handheld container with one hand, while using a second hand for managing other tasks. The measuring device comprises, in one embodiment, a body elongated along a lateral axis affixed to a conduit elongated along a longitudinal axis, wherein the conduit is detachably affixed to the opening of a bottle, jar, or similar container holding baby food, milk, granule materials, powders, oil, chemicals, aggregate, or other edible or non-edible contents. The contents are poured through the conduit into a receptacle portion of the body designed to receive only a predetermined volume of the contents, which contents are subsequently dispensed into a target container using only the motion of a user's wrist.

1 . A detachable measuring and dispensing cap for a portable container comprising:
 a cylindrical body comprising a closed distal end and an open proximal end, the cylindrical body defining a hollow interior cylindrical recess, the cylindrical body defining an aperture disposed between the proximal end and distal end, the aperture penetrating the cylindrical body to the cylindrical recess;   a conduit affixed to the exterior of the cylindrical body, the conduit defining a hollow interior passageway, the conduit encircling the aperture on the exterior of the cylindrical body such that granulated materials and fluids freely travel between the hollow interior passageway of the conduit and the cylindrical recess;   the conduit comprising an open annular base with internal female threading for detachably engaging external male threading on the portable container, such that contents of the portable container, when the portable container is inverted, flow from the portable container, through the hollow interior passageway, into the cylindrical recess, where the contents can be dispensed from the open proximal end by rotating the cap axially.   
     
     
         2 . The detachable measuring and dispensing cap for a portable container of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical body further comprises a receptacle for receiving a predetermined volume of contents, the receptacle disposed between the distal end of the cylindrical body and the aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The detachable measuring and dispensing cap for a portable container of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is transparent such that contents contained in the receptacle can be seen through the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         4 . The detachable measuring and dispensing cap for a portable container of  claim 3 , further comprising linear measurement markings for visually quantifying the volume of contents in the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         5 . The detachable measuring and dispensing cap for a portable container of  claim 1 , further comprising an end cap detachably affixable to the open proximal end for sealing the open proximal end. 
     
     
         6 . The detachable measuring and dispensing cap for a portable container of  claim 5 , wherein the end cap is tethered to the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         7 . The detachable measuring and dispensing cap for a portable container of  claim 1 , wherein the closed distal end is closed with a detachable end cap. 
     
     
         8 . The detachable measuring and dispensing cap for a portable container of  claim 7 , further comprising one or more receptacles of predetermined volume, the receptacle(s) attachable to the distal end of the cylindrical body in place of the detachable end cap. 
     
     
         9 . The detachable measuring and dispensing cap for a portable container of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical body is between 1 centimeter and 100 centimeters in length and wherein the volume of the cylindrical recess is between 1 cubic centimeter and 200 cubic centimeters. 
     
     
         10 . The detachable measuring and dispensing cap for a portable container of  claim 1 , wherein the open proximal end further comprises a one-way valve for preventing ambient air from flowing into the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         11 . A detachable measuring and dispensing assembly for a handheld container comprising:
 an elongated, tubular body, elongated along a lateral axis, the body comprising an open proximal end, the body defining a hollow interior channel of between  10  cubic millimeters and  1  cubic meter in volume, the body forming a recess, the recess penetrating the body to the channel;   a conduit affixed to the exterior of the cylindrical body, the conduit elongated along a longitudinal axis, the conduit defining a hollow interior passageway, the conduit enclosing the recess on the exterior of the body such that the channel and passageway are interconnected;   wherein the conduit comprises an open annular base with means for engaging a handheld container, such that contents of the handheld container, when the handheld container is inverted, flow from the handheld container, through the hollow passageway, into the channel, where the contents can be dispensed from the open proximal end by rotating the assembly axially.   
     
     
         12 . The detachable measuring and dispensing device of  claim 11 , wherein the body is transparent such that contents contained in the recess are visible through the body. 
     
     
         13 . The detachable measuring and dispensing device of  claim 12 , further comprising linear measurement markings for visually quantifying the amount of contents in the body. 
     
     
         14 . The detachable measuring and dispensing device of  claim 13 , further comprising a cap screwable and detachably affixed to the open proximal end for sealing the open proximal end. 
     
     
         15 . The detachable measuring and dispensing device of  claim 8 , wherein the open proximal end further comprises a valve for preventing ambient air from flowing into the body. 
     
     
         16 . A detachable measuring and dispensing appendage for a handheld container comprising:
 a T-shaped tubular body, having a hollow interior with an outlet opening, the T-shaped body comprising:
 a lower member, having an inlet opening, the lower member having means for detachably engaging an outlet opening on the handheld container, the lower member defining a passageway interconnected with the hollow interior of the main body, the member oriented orthogonally to the main body; and 
 a hollow receptacle arm for receiving a predetermined volume of contents from the handheld container, the hollow receptacle arm interconnected with the hollow interior; 
 wherein the outlet opening is formed by an arm of the T-shaped body. 
   
     
     
         17 . The detachable measuring and dispensing device of  claim 16 , further comprising one or more accessories for detachable affixation to the outlet opening from the list consisting of a funnel, a valve, a strainer, and a macerator. 
     
     
         18 . The detachable measuring and dispensing device of  claim 16 , wherein the outlet opening comprises a valve for preventing ambient air from flowing into the body. 
     
     
         19 . The detachable measuring and dispensing device of  claim 16 , further comprising a cap detachably affixable to the outlet opening for sealing the open outlet. 
     
     
         20 . The detachable measuring and dispensing cap of  claim 16 , wherein the cap is tethered to the main body.